In a landmark event underscoring the deepening ties between Morocco and France, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, and TRH Princesses Lalla Khadija and Lalla Meryem, joined French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse, Ms. Brigitte Macron, in Rabat for a signing ceremony of twenty-two bilateral agreements. These agreements span critical sectors, highlighting both nations' commitment to collaborative progress in transportation, energy, education, culture, and infrastructure.
The signing ceremony, held at the Royal Palace of Rabat, featured notable agreements such as the procurement of high-speed train sets and a partnership on green hydrogen development. Director-General of Morocco’s National Railways Office (ONCF), Mohamed Rabie Khlie, and ALSTOM CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Morocco's acquisition of high-speed train sets, with an option for future expansion.
Other key agreements included the €130 million investment by SAFRAN to construct an aircraft engine maintenance facility in Morocco, a declaration between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry to boost cooperation in Morocco’s railway sector, and a strategic partnership between Morocco's OCP Group and ENGIE focusing on green hydrogen and desalination for agricultural use.
Further strengthening the green transition, an agreement was signed between Morocco’s National Ports Agency and the French Development Agency (AFD), supporting the green transition of Moroccan ports and enhancing resilience to climate change. This agreement, alongside the €100 million financing for Morocco's National Water Strategy, illustrates the countries’ shared vision for sustainable infrastructure development.
The education sector also witnessed substantial progress with two declarations of intent to boost collaboration in higher education and scientific research, alongside a unique MoU for establishing a French-Moroccan research center dedicated to AI, Big Data, cybersecurity, and renewable energy.
In the cultural domain, Morocco and France committed to bolstering the video game industry through an initiative to establish a 'Gaming City' in Rabat. Additionally, CMA CGM and Tanger Med agreed on a €258 million investment to expand Morocco’s shipping and logistics capabilities.
This historic meeting, attended by dignitaries from both nations, reaffirms the Morocco-France relationship, laying a solid foundation for future growth and collaboration in sectors vital to the sustainable development of both countries.
